New era of unity is the challenge for Chanderpaul

Page Tools

It is fitting that the man charged with leading the West Indies
out of a troubled time of contract disputes and player absences -
not to mention through a searching tour of Australia - comes from a
place called Unity, a fishing village on the Guyanese coast.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul learnt to bat on Unity's muddy shores,
where his fisherman father gathered the locals to hurl cricket
balls at him and where Chanderpaul first developed his
distinctively open, crab-like stance.

"I played on the shores. The whole village used to come out and
bowl and I used to be batting while guys would throw balls from a
short distance and throw it very hard," Chanderpaul recalled
quietly this week. "My father used to … tell them to fling it
as hard as they can and I had to stand up and face it. It was very
good, but for a young fellow it could get pretty scary, too.

"It [the stance] is because of those times. You never had time
to move, so I decided to be a little open and just get my bat up in
front of my face every minute. It was to protect myself. If I try
to change it, sometimes I lose my balance and it causes
problems."

Chanderpaul took over as West Indies captain in April when Brian
Lara stepped down in support of six players omitted from the squad
over personal endorsement deals with former sponsor Cable and
Wireless, a rival of the new sponsor of West Indies cricket,
Digicel.

The 31-year-old has since had to contend with the absence of
star players, including Lara, for the tour of Sri Lanka because of
the sponsorship crisis, during which a raft of new players were
promoted, and the players' subsequent return ahead of the
Australian tour.

The dispute is being mediated between the West Indies Cricket
Board and the players' association, but these were challenging
times for the reserved left-hander, who was effectively thrust into
the role by default ahead of Ramnaresh Sarwan, whom many believe is
the more natural leader. "He is not as attacking as Brian is; Brian
is more of a gambler. Shiv is more or less a very conservative
person, that's how he is," said Sarwan, who was among those who
opted out of the Sri Lanka tour but has since been reinstated as
vice-captain. "But he brings his experience and his batting
abilities to the team and he's been very helpful for us. I'm sure
that's going to continue."

Chanderpaul's batting gifts are well known to Australia, who
were on the end of his 104 as part of the Windies' record run chase
to beat the world champions in the final Test in Antigua in
2003.

But it is as a leader that Chanderpaul - with help from the
tourists' Australian coach Bennett King - may be tested most this
summer. Unification, and perhaps helping to prepare the West Indies
for life after 36-year-old Lara, is Chanderpaul's task.

"We've had 39 players since I've taken over represent the West
Indies," said King, who found a cricketing culture in the Caribbean
that had been neglected while rival countries had invested heavily
in academies and facilities. "Shiv has been in charge for
three-quarters of that time and he's done a pretty good job under
trying circumstances. The players are right behind him and really
looking forward to Australia

"We're a young side, we believe we've got some talent. They
haven't got the experience Australia have got but there's no better
way to get that experience than playing against the best.

"He [Chanderpaul] has really opened up and the captaincy has
brought out a side in him that hasn't been seen before. He leads by
example and he's been a very consistent player over a long period.
Brian's been good with his input and Ronnie Sarwan has put in a lot
of work."

The early signs in Brisbane, at training sessions under King and
fitness co-ordinator Bryce Cavanagh, have been promising. Slack
training sessions are history.

"The guys have got over all the problems and we're now trying to
pull together in the same direction," Chanderpaul said this week.
"Everybody wants to help each other and that's all you can ask.

"With the guys we have here now I think it's the start of a new
era. If we can get it right, you will see a different team."

Page Tools

SPONSORED LINKS

More news

1130400365402-smh.com.auhttp://www.smh.com.au/news/cricket/new-era-of-unity-is-the-challenge-for-chanderpaul/2005/10/28/1130400365402.htmlsmh.com.auSydney Morning Herald2005-10-29New era of unity is the challenge for ChanderpaulChloe SaltauSportCricket